The pouring out of water was the acknowledgment of utter weakness and emptiness. This figure was employed by the wise woman of Tekoah in her reasoning with David. “We...are as water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again” (2 Sam. 14:14). The action being altogether without precedent serves to show that Israel perceived what was morally suitable to the circumstances of the moment. Such an acknowledgment of weakness cannot fail to bring blessing from God. In the spiritual realm, felt weakness is power, as the Apostle lets us know in 2 Corinthians 12. As Hannah also said, “they that stumbled are girded with strength” (1 Sam. 2:4). Is it not a singular lesson to have to learn that our self-sufficiency is our undoing? God can use those who are “[not] anything,” i.e, nothing (1 Cor. 3:7). God alone counts, whether now or in ages past. When weakness calls Him in, all is well.
Samuel at Mizpeh is wonderfully suggestive of Him who is our all in all. As prophet, he admonished the people, as priest he offered sacrifice on their behalf, and he judged them as though he were the king. God's “Emergency man,” most assuredly.